US Approves Over $5 Billion Arms Sale to Egypt

The United States has approved the sale of over $5 billion in military equipment to Egypt, including 555 M1A1 Abrams tanks and 2,183 Hellfire missiles, citing the deal's importance for U.S. foreign policy and national security. This decision comes despite ongoing concerns regarding Egypt's human rights record under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, where rights groups estimate around 60,000 political prisoners are held. The U.S. has maintained close ties with Egypt, particularly in light of Cairo's role as a mediator in the Gaza crisis since the outbreak of war in October 2023. While President Biden had promised a tougher stance on human rights issues, his administration has continued to authorize arms sales to Egypt. Additionally, Congress has the ability to block the sale, but such attempts are unlikely to succeed. The sale also reflects broader U.S. military support in the region, with other sales authorized for countries like Taiwan and Morocco.